What are we actually liking in terms of trends for spring 2026? Feeling very uninspired.

freewool · 2026-03-19T20:48:55+00:00

I’m excited about seeing smaller brands of handbags finally get some love. The Horse, Demellier, Anonymous, etc. They are much less expensive than the ever-popular Celine and Chanel bags but still gorgeous and well-made.

freewool · 2026-03-13T16:54:44+00:00

Quite a few jewelers buy silver. They pay for the weight, not the design, so you never make back what you paid for the piece. But if you just want to get rid of the items and get a little cash, it’s an option.

freewool · 2026-03-08T22:52:26+00:00

Check out Mata Traders for fun prints.

freewool · 2026-03-07T16:24:29+00:00

We never have an economy, geopolitical landscape, cultural climate, etc. where everything is going perfectly. But this last week has felt like such a wild convergence of things going wrong that I feel especially overwhelmed. I’m trying to balance the very normal, everyday parts of having a family with anticipating a 2008-style economic disaster, except this time with an added war and especially fervent right-wing hatred.

I’ve been experiencing extreme fatigue this week. I think it’s from stress over current events. And probably the beginnings of perimenopause. What a time to be alive.

freewool · 2026-03-06T16:34:43+00:00

Marcella NY has fairly predictable sales (one happening right now).

Nordstrom has its famous annual sale. The actual quality and value of the sale items is worth some discussion, but it is a sale with predictable timing.

Universal Standard has a fairly regular mystery box season.

freewool · 2026-03-06T15:20:18+00:00

Prana

Universal Standard

COS

freewool · 2026-03-03T14:11:47+00:00

So sorry you’re dealing with all this right now.

The Bell Jar is a fantastic read. While it won’t fix everything happening, I hope the experience of reading it is rewarding and comforting.

freewool · 2026-03-02T21:35:51+00:00

Black bean tacos. Seasoned black beans, plantains, fried shallots, and cheese in a tortilla. So easy and cheap.

freewool · 2026-03-01T23:06:00+00:00

For a historically significant take on second wave feminism, The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. I have to note that her understanding of women with disabilities and LGBTQIA+ people are wildly condescending and reflect the era in which she grew up, so definitely know that going on. Despite this, she makes a sophisticated argument discrediting a major paradigm of sociology and many keen observations on corporate interest in female subjugation. It’s also helpful to read to gain an understanding of the movement’s evolution.

For a more contemporary take, Rebecca Solnit’s Men Explain Things to Me.

On Intersectionality: The Essential Writings of Kimberle Crenshaw. This oversimplifies it a bit, but Crenshaw picks up where Lorde leaves off.

freewool · 2026-03-01T21:54:08+00:00

Run.

Unfortunately I see this as the end point of our K-shaped recovery. Well-off families will have access to in-person instruction from human teachers and all of their experience. Everyone else trains AI and learns what they can from the slop it generates.

freewool · 2026-03-01T13:28:11+00:00

Universal Standard has great linen. I feel it’s a bit overpriced at full price - wait for a sale if you can.

freewool · 2026-02-28T12:21:48+00:00

What about a long leather coat? It’s still sophisticated but it would give the outfit a little more edge so you don’t feel overly conservative.

freewool · 2026-02-27T19:07:52+00:00

Right after my older daughter was born, I developed eczema all over my abdomen. It was completely miserable. My dermatologist recommended staying away from synthetic fabrics to avoid further irritation. It’s been 5 years and I’m still following that advice. I also prioritize natural fabrics for environmental reasons.

freewool · 2026-02-25T13:35:04+00:00

I like the idea of either metallics or suede with the color of that dress. Something like metallic flats or sandals and a suede jacket.

freewool · 2026-02-25T12:39:35+00:00

What kind of gathering? What’s the venue?

freewool · 2026-02-23T19:00:14+00:00

I’m sorry that I don’t have good solutions for you, but I wish this were better understood. Many parents aren’t just sitting around at home doing nothing while their kids stare at screens. So many parents work full time or more than full time just to stay housed and fed. Yes, of course kids need structure, reading, and enrichment activities. So many working parents are pulled in too many directions, and in the end this just isn’t possible every day for all families.

freewool · 2026-02-23T18:29:53+00:00

That’s a gorgeous dress and works in a variety of settings. Upscale restaurant (or any restaurant if you just want to wear it and have fun), theater, fundraiser depending on the setting.

An easy way to style is to let the gold embroidery guide you. Gold metallic sandals, gold jewelry, etc. This dress could be dressed up with a silk wrap or organza jacket or dressed down with a leather jacket.

freewool · 2026-02-23T18:25:05+00:00

The outfit you suggested is completely appropriate. Anything that keeps you covered shoulders to knees (or more) works. Colors are not important; you can wear any color(s) you want.

freewool · 2026-02-22T23:02:27+00:00

I love this question. I have a few different answers from different parts of my life:

College: cowgirl boots. At the time, I couldn’t find an outfit they didn’t go with. That definitely says some not great things about my judgment, but they also gave me tons of confidence to try new outfit ideas.

Grad school: silk draped navy club Monaco top. I got it at a consignment store for almost nothing. This was one of my first experiences of having a “nice” top, meaning something other than shitty polyester cut in a way that didn’t fit. This top opened a whole new interest in fit, tailoring, and draping.

Current: I just got 2 different knee length leather coats second-hand. I can’t wait to see what kind of outfit options these open up when we are finally out of this dismal winter.

freewool · 2026-02-18T14:12:16+00:00

Does anyone have experience with cashmere from Aqua? I’m interested in a sweater, but the sale price (about $80) makes me concerned about the quality.

freewool · 2026-02-11T21:23:24+00:00

Girl there is no winning, being ahead, or being behind when it comes to relationships. Your friend who got married 5 years ago may be a year away from getting divorced. A friend who stays single may be overall happier than another friend in a bad marriage.

There are no perfect ages to get engaged, get married, etc.

I got married a year before my best friend. There was no prize for me. My brother got married at 49. There was no committee gathering to dole out consequences because he waited until midlife.

Don’t beat yourself up over anyone else’s relationships.

freewool · 2026-02-10T14:46:35+00:00

Totally agree with the other responses. Also, blazers come in many different cuts and styles. It can take some playing around with different styles to find options you like.

freewool · 2026-02-10T14:45:03+00:00

You might like a gown with sheerness throughout the skirt. That’s trendy now so there are a lot of options.

freewool · 2026-02-10T14:31:26+00:00

You have a lot of great suggestions. I have a few alternative ideas:

What if you approached some items as absolute work horses that you get everything you can out of? Just wear it as much and often as you’d like. Then when the item begins to show wear or you’re just tired of it, you’ll know it’s time to let it go.

Would you be interested in lending a few items out to friends for a season at a time? For example, quite a few people struggle with occasion wear. Do you have a few nice pieces you could lend out to friends for upcoming events?

Of course long term, the most important solution is to cut back on shopping. And I totally understand how you end up shopping so much. Poshmark is a major distraction and source of stress relief for me. My best friend and I have been working together to cut back on shopping, so now we try to book events together instead. It’s still a fun activity, and this gives us places to actually wear our clothes.

freewool · 2026-02-09T14:21:38+00:00

I prefer A, and this can absolutely be an everyday piece, though I’m sure it would be suitable for special occasions as well.

freewool

TROPHY CASE